S. Cyprian’s Newsletter - February 2006
The Parish Church of Saint Cyprian
Clarence Gate
Glentworth St, London, NW1 6AX
T & F 020 7258 0724
admin@stcyprians.org.uk
www.stcyprians.org.uk
This letter is by way of keeping you informed.
Coming in February we want to let you know about
arrangements for the Season of Lent. There is also
information about the AGM, Electoral Roll and
other house-keeping matters.
Are you able to be a sidesperson, preparing books in
advance, greeting people as they arrive and tidying up
afterwards?
Are you able to set up for coffee before mass and clear
away afterwards? There’s a dishwasher!
From Fr David Cherry, Hon. Assistant Priest
If you are able and would like to serve us in any of
these ways, please speak to a priest or churchwarden.
In all things let us continue to support and encourage
one another in participating in our offering of worship
so that all may be richly blessed in company with us.
LITURGY & BEING THE BODY OF CHRIST
The core of our Christian life is the gathering of
God’s People to celebrate in worship. The Liturgy
is the work of all of us, and sustaining worship at St
Cyprian’s is so that we may be met by the loving
kindness of God in Word and Sacrament; and so
that in the midst of our community, among us,
others may discover the boundless love of God for
them. This is the heart of all we do. In worship we
find ourselves to be a People with a vocation ‘to be’
and ‘do for’ others. We find that God has called us
to be Church, enfleshing his love in a particular
place and community. The prayer of Oblation from
a Eucharistic Prayer says it all:
And here we offer and present unto thee O Lord,
ourselves, our souls and bodies to be a reasonable,
holy and living sacrifice unto thee.
Such words in the Liturgy shape our attitudes and
give us purpose. They articulate the response of
hearts which have been met by God, hearts made
capable to respond in generosity toward God and
others.
The offering of worship in the Liturgy is a
collaborative, all-inclusive work in words, music
and gestures (ritual) offered by all. We are all
invited as of baptismal right to participate in that
which we undergo.
Are you able to read the first lesson at mass? (the
Subdeacon traditionally reads the Epistle and the
Deacon/Priest the Gospel)
Would you think about volunteering to bring up the
offering of bread and wine on behalf of all present?
Would you like to lead the Prayers of Intercession?
Would you like to serve at the altar? A regular
team of 5 servers per Sunday Mass would be ideal.
If you want to know more about the Liturgy try the
short booklet: ‘Faith our outward sense befriending’
on sale on the information table. (£1.50)
LENT 2006
The season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday
1st March, has been called a ‘springtime for souls’.
Generally known for what you give up in Lent, its real
purpose is for spiritual renewal. The reverse of
‘denial’ is ‘desire.’ Denial helps us realise our true
desire for God. Being ‘spiritual’ does not mean
everything that isn’t material or physical. Holiness is
not about being of no earthly use, but about being
more authentically human. Spirituality involves all of
our lives, the orientation of our lives towards God and
the re-ordering of our lives towards what is better for
us. Repentance, in Greek, metanoia, means ‘turning
around’, finding one’s true goal in life. Penitence,
Penance, Repentance are often thought to be rather
punishing and unhealthy, the pre-occupations of those
with low self-esteem. On the contrary. Christian
repentance has about it a quality of joy as we discover
that we are made for God and welcome the disciplines
of prayer, fasting and almsgiving on ourselves to help
us re-orientate our lives. So the season of Lent
becomes a season of hope, of reconnection, of rebirth,
a ‘springtime for souls.’
THINKING AND BELIEVING: Lent Group
And our thinking can also be stirred up and renewed.
We all have questioning minds and the experience of
living in a thinking world. Religious faith should
never be a matter of trying to believe the impossible,
but a project of coming to terms with a language and
experience which can be startling and so renewing.
Christianity does not need to be re-invented. Neither
does the liturgy. But it does need to be re-imagined so that it
speaks to us and makes sense to us.
So the Lent Group will be thinking through some of the
fundamentals of Christian faith on Thursday evenings,
from 7-9pm in the Crypt, with the help of diagrams and a
flip-chart (no overhead projector or Power Point – promise!)
I hope most of our community will take the opportunity of
journeying together and that new folk will feel comfortable
and welcome to join us. No question is too stupid; no idea is
forbidden. Come and think and pray together.
The course will also serve as the basis of instruction for
anyone who is enquiring about the Christian faith and/or
wants to be prepared for Baptism or Confirmation.
David and there is never a glitch. Being
accommodating towards various priests has sometimes
been like walking a tight-rope, requiring adaptability
and imagination. David and Robert never fail. While
we are finishing off coffee, the sacristy downstairs is
being tidied, robes put away and so on. During the
week they are here, clearing out rubbish, improving
the ambience.
Maurice and Judith Hart keep the little garden
outside the front door and clear away accumulated
rubbish blown beyond the rails. A while ago Maurice
relieved Michael of the duty of changing light bulbs on
top of a ladder. So here let us not fail to thank them
and all who do small jobs about the building. How
fortunate we all are.
LENTEN ALMSGIVING : OUR CHARITY
THE UNITED SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF
THE GOSPEL
THANK YOU MICHAEL & ELIZABETH
Bishop Michael Doe, Gen Sec of USPG, writes in the Winter
2005 newsletter, Transmission: “Challenge your church to
give the 5 percent recommended by General Synod for world
mission, and not just whatever happens to be left over when
your own needs have been met.”
Michael Keelan’s decades of service to the church as
administrator, treasurer and building maintenance
officer culminated with a grand Mass for his
retirement on Sunday 6th November 2005. The church
was packed with family, friends, users of the church
and all those who had come to know and love him
over the years. Because of the generosity of so many
we were able to give him a cheque for £1600.
The congregation has been generous in supporting a local
charity, West London Day Centre, over Christmas. In Lent
we look further afield to our connections with the wider
church and have the opportunity of supporting the work of
the USPG in projects across the world. On the third Sunday
of Lent (19th March) an experienced USPG representative,
Mary Corish, will talk to us about the work of the society, its
challenges and way of working. There are newsletters with a
variety of good news about their work and prayer calendars
at the back of church on the information table. Please do
help yourself and find out more.
HOLY WEEK & EASTER
This is the most Sacred Time for Christians. We
commemorate the Passover of the Lord (also known as the
‘Paschal Mystery’) in the liturgies which commemorate his
Passion, Death and Resurrection. See the explanation and
times of the Holy Week and Easter Liturgies on page 4, the
last page of this newsletter.
From the Churchwardens.
SOME THANK YOU’S
St Cyprian’s is a small worshipping community. We are
very dependant on the contributions and assistance of church
members to keep the church operating. So herewith a few
thankyou’s to some of those who help keep us going.
We all owe David Peet and Robert Gwynne, our
Sacristans, a huge cheering ovation for the diligent and
dedicated work in preparing the church for our worship. The
chairs are tidied, the floor swept, the accoutrements of
worship are laid out; the booklets are beautifully printed by
It is our great fortune to have had Elizabeth Masson
waiting in the wings with boundless energy,
commitment and expertise in administration. Since
taking over many of Michael’s jobs in December
2005, we have been in safe hands. The many users of
the church continue to be well served and cared for
and we owe her a great debt of gratitude for being so
willing and so dedicated to St Cyprian’s in serving us
in this way.
Thanks also to Paul Aguayo our organist and Peter
Sowerby, our most regular singer; and to those who
sing in the occasional choirs in the organ gallery, for
sustaining and enriching our liturgy on Sundays and
on festivals.
And to Patrick Graham, our PCC Secretary, who
oversees the administration of the Parochial Church
Council and produces timely and clear agendas and
minutes.
HOUSE KEEPING MATTERS
ELECTORAL ROLL: If you are not on the
Electoral Roll, and would like to be a member of the
church, voting for officers at the AGM etc, please fill
in the form and return it by Sunday 12th March.
We are contacting all those who have been on the ER
over the past years. Anyone who lives within the
boundaries of the parish may automatically be on the
ER; those who attend regularly but live in other
parishes may also be on the Electoral Roll.
After all applications forms are in, the Electoral Roll is
approved by the PCC, displayed and received at the APCM
(Annual Parochial Church Meeting). Many thanks to Chan
Mayor, our Electoral Roll Officer, who has already collated
names and addresses and will undertake this task of revision.
Please give or send your Electoral Roll forms c/o the
Administrator at church by Friday 3rd March.
Thank you for using GIFT AID envelopes. This is an easy
way of increasing your offering at no extra effort or expense
to you. If you are not able to come regularly to church or
simply want to be saved having to fill an envelope, you can
give by Standing Order. Please use the FRIENDS OF ST
CYPRIAN’S form, also enclosed, to arrange a Bank Order.
The SANCTUARY FUND is for one-off donations towards
purchasing equipment and supplies for worship. If you
would like to make a donation towards this fund please
indicate on the envelope.
The WEBSITE, www.stcyprians.org.uk is being rebuilt
by Julian Maddock. It would be a great help if someone
would undertake the task of keeping it up to date when it is
done with weekly notices, news and homilies from mass.
Check out the developments taking place at
www.stcyprians.org.uk/dev and feel free to make your views
known.
THE MANAGEMENT TEAM, formed while Fr Sean
Cathie has been on leave to oversee the running of the
church, comprises the churchwardens, William Nye and
Simon de Brouck, Canon John Oates and Fr David Cherry.
The Agenda of the Management Team over the past months
has been to oversee the setting up of an office for
administration which Elizabeth can use; see to the numerous
arrangements for users including new Terms and Conditions
and Rates of hire. There is still much to be done by way of
taking over from Michael Keelan and learning how the
church has operated.
Canon John continues to celebrate the Thursday
lunch-time mass as well as a Mass of Requiem once a
month at lunch time on the first Monday of each
month. These masses are generally well attended and
we owe Fr John our thanks for his continued ministry
among us in this way. Unfortunately he is no longer
able to come on Sundays and has also withdrawn from
the Management Team to lighten the load.
Fr David has continued to serve on Sundays. We are
very grateful for his continued energy and dedication
to St Cyprian’s, not merely in the liturgies but in
numerous practical ways to improve and modernise
our administration. It is good of him to fit this in
around a busy day job at the University of
Westminster.
Simon de Brouck and William Nye
We must destroy the idol of God as a big, powerful
person, usually thought of as male, who bosses us
around and tells us what we must do if he is to like us.
We must get rid of the God who opposes our freedom,
and keeps us trapped in infantile submission. So many
people's lives have been crucified by worship of this
alien idol. We must discover the God who is the
source of freedom bubbling up in the very core of our
being, and granting us existence in every moment.
What is the Point of Being a Christian?,
Timothy Radcliffe OP
NEXT PCC MEETING
Sunday 19th March – to approve ER & Financial
Report and other business.
COMMUNITY MEETING : about USPG
Sunday 19th March over coffee after mass.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
4th Sunday of Lent: Mothering Sunday
26th March, 12.30pm in Church.
Lent Group 2006
THINKING & BELIEVING
Thursdays in Lent, from 7pm in the Crypt
Compline at 8.30pm in Church.
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9th March
16th March
23rd March
30th March
6th April
See the flyer for more details
1. ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS to
elect churchwardens.
2. ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING
(APCM) to receive the various reports on Finance,
the Fabric and others; to elect PCC members,
Deanery Synod Rep, and sidespersons.
3. 1st MEETING OF THE NEW PCC: to appoint
office holders: Secretary, Treasurer and ER officer.
Please make every effort to attend the AGM
meetings, to vote and participate in the business of
our church community. Only those on the ER may
vote.
DIARY : LENT to EASTER
Ash Wednesday 1st March 7pm Sung Mass in Quire with Imposition of Ashes
Sunday 5th March LENT 1 10.30am Solemn Mass. Pr. Fr David Cherry
Thursday 9th March 1.10pm Low Mass ; 7-9pm Lent Group, concluding with Compline in church (8.30pm)
Sunday 12th March LENT 2 10.30am Solemn Mass. Cel. Fr David Peebles; Pr. The Rev’d Sam McBratney on the
mission of the church in Higher Education Chaplaincy. Sam is a Methodist Minister and HE chaplain.
Thursday 16th March 1.10pm Low Mass ; 7-9pm Lent Group, concluding with Compline in church (8.30pm)
Sunday 19th March LENT 3 10.30am Solemn Mass. Pr. Fr David Cherry, Community Meeting with USPG
representative, Mary Corish; PCC meeting.
Thursday 23rd March 1.10pm Low Mass ; 7-9pm Lent Group, concluding with Compline in church (8.30pm)
Sunday 26th March LENT 4 Mothering Sunday 10.30am Solemn Mass. Pr. Fr David Cherry, followed by the AGM
in church.
Thursday 30th March 1.10pm Low Mass ; 7-9pm Lent Group, concluding with Compline in church (8.30pm)
Sunday 2nd April LENT 5 10.30am Solemn Mass. Pr. Fr David Cherry, followed by Parish Brunch
Thursday 6th April 1.10pm Low Mass ; 7-9pm Lent Group, concluding with Compline in church (8.30pm)
HOLY WEEK & EASTER
PREACHER: Fr Nick Mercer, Diocesan Director of Ministry, Ordinands and Warden of Readers
PALM SUNDAY 9th April 10.30pm PROCESSION & MASS OF THE PASSION
A Procession to commemorate the entrance of Our Lord into his City, Jerusalem, and Mass of the Passion. Palm
crosses are given out to all in commemoration of this day.
Holy Monday 10th, Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th April
1.10pm
Low Mass
7pm
Silent Prayer in church, Spiritual Counsel &/ Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
8pm
Compline (Night Office as in Monastic Communities)
MAUNDY THURSDAY 13th April 7.30pm MASS OF THE LAST SUPPER
In this Eucharist we commemorate Jesus giving us the Eucharist. In mind and heart we are there with him at the Last
Supper before his betrayal. He washes the feet of his disciples and gives them a New Commandment (The Latin
‘mandate’ = commandment). After the Eucharist we follow him to Gethsemane; and the Altar and Sanctuary are
stripped bare to recall Jesus forsaken by his loved ones.
GOOD FRIDAY 14th April: 3pm THE LITURGY OF GOOD FRIDAY
In the Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday, which begins at the 9th hour (the first hour being 6am) when Jesus yielded up
his spirit and died we commemorate the Crucifixion and Death of the Lord and his laying in the tomb. We pray for
the world he came to save; Venerate the Cross and are kept in Communion with him through the Sacrament reserved
from the night before. This is a holy day of fasting and abstinence. We try to keep the mood of the day by not going
to entertainment or eating very much.
HOLY SATURDAY 15th April:
10am Said Matins in Quire; cleaning and decoration of the church; arranging of Easter flowers until 1pm
8pm EASTER VIGIL AND FIRST MASS OF EASTER
Traditionally this liturgy begins in the early hours of Easter morning, ‘while it was still dark’ (John 20:1). But, since in
Hebrew thinking the new day begins at sunset, we celebrate it Easter Eve for convenience. The Easter Fire is lit (as it
is at the Sepulchre in Jerusalem) and we enter the church by candlelight to hear the Proclamation of Easter and to recite
our salvation history in 7 lessons from the scriptures, interspersed with psalms and prayers. This is a Vigil of waiting,
soaking in the words of scripture, recalling how we came to be here. As the lessons come to the New Testament the
lights are symbolically turned on and we sing the Gloria which will not have been sung during Lent (except on the
feast of the Annunciation of the Lord). Since Lent is the traditional time for preparing those to be baptised on Easter,
we also renew our Baptismal Promises and are sprinkled with Holy Water from the font to remind us of that joyful
occasion when we were brought into the company of faith. On Easter we also resume the singing of Alleluia and
receive Holy Communion with God and one another.
EASTER SUNDAY 15th April: 10.30am MASS OF THE RESURRECTION
We celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the Dead and our new life in him in the Eucharist. Those entering the
Community of God’s Church are baptized and we all renew our Baptismal Promises and the New Life that is ours
around the font.
The Season of Easter continues for 50 days until the Feast of Pentecost.